IOWA CITY — A son of Iowa men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery will have surgery next week to remove a tumor on his thyroid, the coach disclosed in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

Patrick McCaffery, 13, is undergoing tests and will have surgery March 19 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

“I was made aware of Patrick’s condition prior to traveling to East Lansing, Michigan, last Wednesday,” McCaffery said in a statement released before his regularly scheduled news conference. “Margaret and I notified our players and staff of Patrick’s health issue after a biopsy was done on Monday.

Through department staffers, McCaffery requested no questions about his son’s condition and asked to talk strictly about basketball. He was flanked by his wife, Margaret, at his Tuesday news conference and the topic was not approached. The tumor has not been diagnosed as cancerous at this time.

The McCafferys have four children: sons Connor, Patrick and Jonathan and a daughter, Marit.

Here's Fran McCaffery's statement:

“Last week it was discovered that our son, Patrick, has a tumor on his thyroid. Patrick is currently undergoing tests and is scheduled to undergo surgery next Wednesday, March 19, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Once the mass is removed, additional tests will determine a further course of action.

I was made aware of Patrick’s condition prior to traveling to East Lansing, Michigan, last Wednesday. Margaret and I notified our players and staff of Patrick’s health issue after a biopsy was done on Monday.

We appreciate your concern and ask that you respect our family’s privacy as we address Patrick’s health.”

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